## Races & Cultures

### Major Races

The major races of Conliah include Humans, Dwarves, High Elves, Dark Elves, Wood Elves, Halflings, Catfolk, Lizardfolk. Newly arrived races are Orcs, Goblins, and Ogres.

#### Imperial Core Races

The Imperial Core Races are physically characterized by a diversity of skin tones from dark to pale, and rounded ears. They are moderately magically inclined. They occupy the central to northeastern provinces of Conliah, and are among the strongest supporters of the Yargyez Empire.

* **Humans** are as diverse in physical appearance as in our world. Their homeland is the human river valley of Eastgardia. Culturally they are characterized by pragmatism, diplomacy, and political aptitude. As the ruling race of the Yargyez Empire, humans seek to maintain its continuity in Conliah, restore its former glory, and broker agreement between the other provinces.

* **Dwarves** are stout and strong. Their homeland is the icy mountain province of Helscar. Culturally they emphasize stoicism, artisanry, military reverence, and customs of ancestor worship. The mountain Dwarves of western Helscar tend towards demanding greater autonomy from the Yargyez Empire, whereas the foothill Dwarves of eastern Helscar tend towards loyalty to the Empire.

* **Halflings** are small, standing between 3 and 4 feet tall, but with the proportions in the same ratio to full-size humans. Their homeland of Middlestone consists of three regions: rolling hills and valleys to the north, a massive fertile prarie in the center, and forested hills to the south. Culturally they value chivalry, formal etiquette, humble piety, and customs of ancestor worship. As a central and agriculturally productive region, Middlestone was under constant attacks from adjacent regions during the interregnum. As a result, Halflings are among the most fervent supporters of the Yargyez Empire as protectors.

#### Elven Races

The Elven Races are physically characterized by more striking skin tones, long pointed ears, slender builds. They are highly magically inclined. They occupy the far western provinces of Conliah, and have vascillating perspectives on the Yargyez Empire.

* **High Elves** are tall and slender, with radiant golden skin. Their homeland is the tropical rainforest of Fair Island. Culturally they uphold religious dogma, the arcane arts, and a hierarchy based on lineage. The High Elves are nostalgic for the Magellian Empire which was based on High Elf superiority and not cosmopolitanism, and institutionalized different religious practices than the Yargyez Empire today.

* **Dark Elves** are average height and slender, with dark gray skin. Their homeland is the volcanic barren province of Valorgale. Culturally they are defined by secrecy, clan loyalty, and customs of ancestor worship. Views on the Yargyez Empire are totally fragmented across Valorgale and reflect clan identity.

* **Wood Elves** are short and slender, with olive skin. Their homeland is the dense forest of Westerwood. Culturally they are defined by ecological spirituality, resourcefulness, and hunting traditions. Historically they have suffered under High Elf domination during times of decentralization, so they view the Yargyez Empire as a buffer which protects their relative autonomy.

#### Beast Races

The Beast Races are physically characterized by a bestial appearance, with features of both humans and animals. They are moderately magically inclined. Within the Yargyez Empire, they are among the most skeptical and actively hostile.

* **Catfolk** are feline humanoids with sandy brown fur, pointed upright ears, sharp claws, and long tails. Their homeland is Wuthelark, a warm province which is divided between a nothern jungle and a southern desert. Culturally they are characterized by celestial spirituality, clan loyalty, and libertinism. The southern nomads are distinctly hostile to the Empire, for its unwillingness to recognize land rights for their nomadic practices.

* **Lizardfolk** are reptilian humanoids with greenish brown scales and sharp claws. Their homeland is the marsh province of Thunderhome. Culturally they emphasize ecological spirituality, clan loyalty, resourcefulness, and customs of ancestor worship. Lizardfolk are constantly in conflict with the Empire for its encroachment of human settlements into Lizardfolk territory.

#### Porcine Races

The Porcine Races are physically characterized by gray to green skin tones and pig-like facial features: snouts, flat noses, and tusks. They are not very inclined towards magic as spellcasting, but have magic technological marvels beyond comprehension of the other races. The three Porcine Races form the Uzvu Confederation which is an open competitor state of the Yargyez Empire.

* **Orcs** are tall and strong, with large protruding tusks, elongated snouts, pronounced brow ridges, and short pointy ears. Culturally they uphold religious dogma, a hierarchy based on lineage, and a military reverence. They view the Yargyez Empire as decadent and corrupt, and view the incursion of the Uzvu as a divinely sanctioned civilizing mission.

* **Goblins** are small humanoids with long pointy ears, short snouts, and tusks that are long and thin. Culturally they are defined by commercial savvyness, technical expertise, and pragmatism. They view the Yargyez Empire as a repository of riches, ripe for extraction and development.

* **Ogres** are large and broad humanoids with flat snouts, heavy jowls, and small tusks. Culturally they are defined by disciplined work ethic, economic individualism, and a desire for recognition. They view the Yargyez Empire as an opportunity to raise their social status by acquiring underdeveloped tracts of land in exchange for serving as settler soldiers of the frontier.

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### Power Structures

* **Clans and Nobility:** Each province has its own internal political structure based on the customs of their respective races. Formally, all clans and noble lineages across Conliah are loyal to the Yargyez Empire, but many resent the status quo and plot against the Empire in secret. Others take a pragmatic approach of accepting formal submission to the Empire while holding real power at the provincial level. Some clans and nobles are truly loyal the Empire, and those are viewed with the greatest suspicion by their subjects.

* **Guilds:** Across Conliah there are associations for various trades. Guilds wield a great amount of power, often competing with local rulers. Three of the most prominent guilds are the Mages Guild, Fighters Guild, and Thieves Guild. All three are massive, continent-spanning organizations with internal factions competing for power within them.

* **Religious Organizations:** Various religious organizations also wield significant power. The state sanctioned religion in Conliah is Agathos worship. The Imperial Cult holds considerable power in conjunction with the Empire, but there are also many minority traditions of Agathos worship: local syncretic practices which emphasize ancestor worship, primitivist High Elven practices, and knightly orders dedicated to specific Agathoi. On the other hand, Infernal Cults have also been rising up which seek the favor of dark, Infernal forces. Lastly, the monotheistic Uzvu has started a religious crusade against worship of both Agathoi and Archons.

